Life. Joy. Happiness. Jesus. Forward >>

Feeling lost in the wilderness, not knowing the way back home. Fearful of the hidden beasts, I tried my hardest to find a trail, a track, something left behind that would guide me home. Anxiety crept in. My heart beating fast. My palms began to sweat. Nightfall settled in. I closed my eyes. I cleared my fearful thoughts. I listened to the beat of my heart, and focused on my breathing. When all of the sudden, a still small voice whispered and said… “where your treasure is, there you will find your heart.” I opened my eyes, the moon shining bright, and the stars and galaxies blanket the sky. In the center, I sEye a comet, so I began to run after it. Growing tired and exhausted. My mind was focused on one thing- my treasure: my family…my daughter. I knew I needed to find my way back to them. So, I kept running. The comet kept growing smaller and smaller… I thought I was losing it. So, I ran faster. Some way, somehow… I found it. I found my way home. I made it. The relief of finding my way through that darkness released all tension and anxiety. The comet led me to the treasures of my heart. The people I cherished the most. “Where your treasure is, there you will find your heart.”

There is a season to everything. Fall, especially, is my favorite. It’s not just about the cute warm clothes, or everyone’s crave of PSL (pumpkin spice latte’s). But, rather, it’s the thought of finishing up another year. The preparation of closing the year, with a few weeks left, to only enter a new year. A new year with new opportunities; new goals; new ideas; new trips; well – new beginnings.

So, as we prepare to close this year. What new goals will we set? Where do we want to be in the coming year, whether spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically. What changes are we willing to make to get there? What sacrifices are we willing to take?

Let’s be like these trees. Standing firm through all kinds of storms. Standing tall in the midst of all the chaos. Let’s be like these trees, tossing the old and taking our time in developing a new life; just as the tree is shedding to make way for newer leaves. Let’s plant our roots so deep in confidence, that we never allow the world around us to tear us apart. Let us brave through what’s to come.

But, why Fall? Out of the 4 seasons, why Fall? Well, if you think about it… Fall is a season of restoration. The trees lose their leaves. Gardens lose their flowers. Birds flock to the warmth. And for what, to weather the storm that’s ahead, which leads to new life. New beginnings. New colors. New sounds. New birds. So, instead of thinking of Fall as the season before winter. Think of it as restoration. A restoration of a new and fresh mind, body, and soul.

There is nothing in this world that even compares to how in love I am with you. You are my eternal world, and I can’t imagine life without you. You’re so graceful, smart, beautiful, funny, loud, incredible, and so much more.

You are officially 10 weeks old. Life is not fair, for robbing time away from me. I wish there was a magical button to make time standstill. Oh darling I would keep you little and in my arms forever.

I know that’s not how life is supposed to be. So I tell you… little one, don’t let this world scare you. The world is big and can be exciting. You are the maker of your future and legacy. God will guide you in every step, if you allow him. Don’t let this world change who You are. People will be envious, afraid of you, intimated by you, but… holdfast my love. Show them your grace and the love of Jesus. Show them they are great. And never allow their negative words to impact you, but use that as fuel to stand your ground and continue walking in Confidence.

Little one, you are destined to do great things. You, my love, are a world changer. Your heart is bigger than anything explainable.

The mind can be so deceiving. It can take you places you do not wish to go or revisit. It makes something out of nothing. It longs for things out of the ordinary. The mind can make you feel as if you’re missing a piece to your soul…

Falling in love can be the most amazing feeling in the world. Your heart doesn’t deny anyone’s love. When the heart finds the one, it goes without care. The butterflies never go away. You spend every waking moment believing in the person. You enjoy their company and drink their tender presence. Their life is nothing but a radiance of joy in your life. It’s everything you dreamed of and more.

It’s the heartbreak that hurts the most. When you fall in love and your mind replays the memories that seem so distant. The pain you try to wish away, but only becomes even more excruciating. When you see them, you want nothing more than to know what’s running through their mind. Am I but a distant memory in your mind. Am I just a forgotten soul. Am I what once was and nothing more.

Oh mind why do you play tricks on me. These memories keep playing in my mind like a broken tape, revisiting each serene, pleasant, amazing memory. Make it stop. Pause. I don’t know what hurts the most. What we once had and now it’s gone, or the memories that continuously replay in my mind and heart.

When the heart falls in love… It falls hard. But when your heart is broken… Not even the best engineer, architect, doctor, therapist or what have you can restore the mess of a broken heart.

“I have a Dream!” said so many kids at City of Dreams. Fighting back the tears as we listened to, at least, a dozen kids say what their dreams are.

All over the world we see an epidemic of hunger tearing down the lives of many children and families. Something that is so easily accessible to us here in the United States, is made so difficult for others elsewhere. Why? Why do we have it easy? Why do we take it for granted?

Defining 78 felt a strong urgency to help in what ever way possible. A group of us knew we needed to do something about this crisis flooded in 3rd world countries. We knew there was something we could do to provide hope and life to many children struggling.

We all sacrificed a night on September 30th, to volunteer for Feed My Starving Children. An organization that is…

January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Prevention starts with awareness, so I wanted to make a post about this. Human trafficking is the illegal trade of human beings, mainly for the purposes of forced labor and sex trafficking. Human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal industry today, with an estimated 27 million in bondage across the globe, including right here in the USA. There are more slaves in the world today than at any other point in human history. Now, you may be asking yourself, “Whoa man, that’s insane. What can I do to help raise awareness and bring an end to this craziness?” Well chillax man, because I’m gonna tell you.

“I have a Dream!” said so many kids at City of Dreams. Fighting back the tears as we listened to, at least, a dozen kids say what their dreams are.

All over the world we see an epidemic of hunger tearing down the lives of many children and families. Something that is so easily accessible to us here in the United States, is made so difficult for others elsewhere. Why? Why do we have it easy? Why do we take it for granted?

Defining 78 felt a strong urgency to help in what ever way possible. A group of us knew we needed to do something about this crisis flooded in 3rd world countries. We knew there was something we could do to provide hope and life to many children struggling.

We all sacrificed a night on September 30th, to volunteer for Feed My Starving Children. An organization that is fighting for children who lack proper nutrition due to poverty. It’s an organization who believes in ending this cycle, and restoring hope to the hopeless.

To be a part of this was a unique and humbling experience. We became one with the community and helped make 407 boxes in a 2 hour span. This creates 87,912 serving, which is enough to feed hundreds of children for 365 days! Even though we’re millions of miles away, in an entirely different country, we have just helped save a life.

Defining 78 is a team who believes in making a difference. We’re a team who believes we are the Hands and Feet of Christ. A team who is willing to serve, rather than to be served. And we’re a team looking for more ways to make a life changing difference in our community and world.